Jurman's rise: from sick bed to key Sky Blue

​Bed ridden and extremely sick, there was a time earlier this season when Sydney FC defender Matt Jurman thought his campaign was all over. Now he's a regular in the starting XI as the Sky Blues eye the Championship trophy.

Suffering with a really bad infection following arthroscopic knee surgery, the 25-year-old’s season looked done before it even got off the ground.

After starting in the Sky Blues’ season opener, Jurman went under the knife to clean up a dodgy left knee and expected to miss just over a month.

“I’ve got to thank Arnie [coach Graham Arnold] for giving me the chance to play and having the confidence in me. That’s got me playing the way I am.

“About the same time I came back to training Jacques [Faty] came in and ever since then I think we’ve formed a good partnership together and I definitely think we’re getting stronger and stronger every game.

“Sometimes it takes a little while but I think we’ve started really well from day one and looking forward to a big game with him on Sunday.

“Hopefully I can now win something with the boys.”

Jurman already has two championship medals to his name, with the Sky Blues back in 2010 as well as with Roar in 2012.

But he didn’t play in either decider and admits a winners medal on Sunday will be extra special with the impressive defender set to play a pivotal role.

The Sky Blues arrived in Melbourne on Saturday and had a light session, their last before Sunday's decider.

“It’s definitely exciting knowing you’re going to be on the field this time,” Jurman admitted.

“With Roar I was on the bench and the last time Sydney won in Melbourne I was on crutches.

“I was part of the squads so I’ve got the medals… I really want to get another medal.

“It will be a great feeling personally and as a club to lift that trophy…it would be awesome.”